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By law, institutions like Youngstown State University must disclose information regarding emergencies in a timely manner. Some students say the YSU Alert Notification System fails to do so.
According to The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, YSU is required under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to “alert the campus community to certain crimes in a manner that is timely and will aid in the prevention of similar crimes.”
While the YSU Police Department employs several tools like loudspeakers, signs, and alarms to comply with this law, Chief of Police John Beshara said that the YSU Alert Notification System is the best way to inform of emergencies.
“[YSU Alerts] is an opt-in system. … If you don’t want to be a part of it, you don’t have to be,” Beshara said. “But we strongly suggest that students faculty, staff and visitors opt into the system because it is the most efficient, effective way to get critical information out. … This is a
powerful system.”
YSU pays Inspiron Logistics $12,850 annually for this Wireless Emergency Notification System, allowing the university to send emergency texts and emails to system subscribers.
Some students said they have experienced technological problems with the YSU Alert System. Ethan Parks, a junior electrical engineering major said that he feels the system has failed to warn of emergencies in a timely
manner.
“I think it’s a good idea to have it, but [the alerts] don’t come on time. And, by the time you get it, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Parks said. “I’m not getting
them period.”
Mike Koziorynsky, a senior hospitality major, added that though his phone is fully operational, he does not receive YSU alert texts on time.
“I got the last alert at four-thirty in the afternoon. I looked at a friend who got it at like four o’clock in the morning. Since I live off campus in Boardman, I guess it doesn’t worry me as much, but I am just wondering how many people on campus are getting them late. I kinda feel bad for them,” Koziorynski said.
Haley Karelin, a junior psychology major, said she experienced the same problems.
“I get the alerts after everyone else by at least two hours,” she said.
Beshara responded to these complaints and said that these issues have gone unreported.
“Yeah if [these problems] are occurring, we need to look into them. It is probably a problem with the system. … I don’t know,” he said.
Like Beshara, Public Information Officer Ron Cole was unaware of
students’ complaints.
“No, I am not aware of these issues,” Cole said. “If that’s happening, I would suggest that people get a hold of either me or the police chief.”
For troubleshooting regarding YSU Alerts Notification system call 330-941-3527.